Marilyn Manson, "Dope"

Marilyn Manson - Dope

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

Somehow Manson has managed to stay ahead of the competition for lo these many years now.  His inventive use of shock tactics and gothic, angst ridden lyrics belies an extraordinary man.   The more you know about him as a human being, and especially the more you hear him talk the more you know how he's stayed ahead of the game for this long!  In the midst of all the Halloween hooplah this year with all the classic monsters I wanted to show my love for some of the monsters that have meant a lot to me personally.  Most of those are musicians so I decided to do Manson and Zombie - I was really pleased with the way that both of them turned out.  This is old school Manson, but not so old school that he isn't recognizable, if there is interest I might be intised into doing another piece from another era - hint hint...

Lon Chaney Sr. - Phantom Of The Opera: "Phantom"

Lon Chaney Sr. - The Phantom Of The Opera

Portrait,15 1/2 x 10 /2 in.
Lead on Paper

Another piece in the ongoing series of Classic Universal Horror Monsters is in my opinion - the original Horror monster.  Before there was Lugosi there was Chaney, before there was sound there was Chancey, before there were make-up artists there was Chaney.  We still don't honestly know how he achieved the upturned nose make-up for The Phantom of The Opera to this day, though these days most people believe he used very thin wire to upturn his snout.  Seemingly impervious to pain in the service of achieving a realistic appearance on screen Chaney is considered by some to the first character actor.  Whatever your opinion on the man might be it's hard to argue that he is anything but a legend among horror fans.  Once he haunted the screen, they say he still haunts the opera set which is miraculously still standing today, but if you want he can always haunt your wall!

Kurt Cobain, "Spirit"

Kurt Cobain - Spirit

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

Kurt represented a lot of things to a lot of different people and 16 years later I still think he does, I know that he hasn't lost any of his impact or interest.  Loosing him at such a young age felt like a robbery to me and my generation, like we had lost something shinning and wonderful - some height that would never be reached again. Thankfully the music and memories that he left behind are still around to this day and seem like they will be for a long, long time to come.

As Kurt comes toppling off of the page in this piece, the essence of the madness of Kurt on stage in really evident; yes the picture is right side up - he's on his head playing guitar!  A small smoke filled club where most people would be choking for air is where he called home.  Music is what he loved, and this way he can perform for you anywhere you want anytime you want!  Let this whirling dervish loose at the house and be the toast of the town.

Kurt Cobain, "Dumb"

Kurt Cobain - Dumb

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

This is a companion piece that I did to go along with Spirit.  The raw energy of Kurt spills out of the lines on the page here blending into a mix of madness and ecstasy.   Anarchistic symmetry at it's finest.  You can't see his face, but the wild eyes underneath that furry mane are what fueled an entire musical movement.  Usually Cobain was sporting shades or long enough hair you couldn't make out his eyes, but it doesn't matter - this piece glares at you with no eye sockets, bring him home and maybe you can get him to stop screaming!

Johnny Depp: Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas - Raol Duke, "Colonel"

Johnny Depp - The Colonel

Portrait, 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 in.

Lead on Paper

The essence of gonzo in it's purest form - or is it?  Johnny Depp, a Kentucky native, is seen here in his leading role as Raol Duke aka Hunter S Thompson in 1998's Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas.  Though released to mediocre reviews and a disappointing box office, the film has gone onto to become a cult classic.  It was selected as a modern classic by The Criterion Collection Company and won a Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival.  Now, twelve years later we are still waiting on the companion piece to this film, The Rum Diary which is slated for release in the next year or two.  You don't have to wait until then though, get gonzo - grab this print, stick it in a suitcase and smuggle that sucker home!

Jimi Hendrix, "Hair"

Jimi Hendrix, "Hair"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Graphite on Paper

Jimi Hendrix was an undeniable force in the evolution of rock and roll guitar.  Where most people in his position would push the boundaries, he instead chose to shatter them.  Moving into a transcendent free-form blend of tradition rhythm and blues, surf rock and country as well as jazz - Hendrix used them to redefine what the establishment had come to think of as rock music in the late 60's.  Although his life was cut short at the young age of twenty-seven, we remember him now, forty years later just as lovingly as those who saw him perform.  Isn't it about time to bring a little piece of the legend home with you?

Jack White: The White Stripes, "GBMS"

Jack White, "GBMS"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

The White Stripes took the music industry by storm, were all over the radio and had become the toast of the town - but I had no idea of any of this.  I live under a rock and listening to top 40 radio shows, ick!  So when a buddy stuck on Death Letter for me,  I had to hear the rest of DeStijl - I was in love.  It was a delightful blend of dissonant chords and screeching harmonic chatter from Jack White, mirrored by the childlike drum beats slipping from in inexperienced hands of Meg White.  It had been far too long since I'd heard some good old fashioned garage rock, and Jack helped me remember why I missed it so much.  Even while he was in The Stripes it seemed like he was inventing a new persona for himself periodically.  Whether it was for the new tour or the new album, and he's fronted several different bands since then - all with their own nuances.  This is Jack at the height of The Stripes era from the Get Behind Me Satan tour and album.  It is a section of my life that will remain vivid for the rest of my days, and this picture helps me recall them.  It can help you if you need a little help as well, like Jack said after all, "I can tell we are going to be friends..."

Howlin' Wolf, "Oval"

Howlin' Wolf, "Oval

Portrait, 7 x 5 1/2 in
Graphite on Paper

Before The Beatles, rock stars and even Elvis Presley there was a proud few musicians that stood on their own - outside of the established idea of what mainstream music should be in a still segregated society.  But with the help of people like Howlin' Wolf and his unique brand of rhythm and blues music, they began to dissolve the invisible wall that held people apart.  If it weren't for people like Muddy Waters and Hownlin' Wolf spreading their gospel through song it would have been an even longer tougher road than it was.  He sits here, brooding as always, so hurry up and give him a place to site before he gets real mad...

Jimi Hendrix, "1967"

Jimi Hendrix, "1967"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Hendrix was on the scene solo for only about four years - from early 1967 until his death on September 18th of 1970.  In that period though he went through two very distinct personality and wardrobe changes.  This is the first of the two, far more dark and brooding than the jovial hippie that would follow some months later.  In these early months he would always appear deep in thought, a solemn look on his granite face.  I chose to picture him here in my favorite outfit from those years, the band leader jacket.  It makes me smile for one reason or another and I hope it brings a little smile to your face or wall as well as it might be.

Bruce Campbell - Evil Dead: Ash, "Woods"

Bruce Campbell, "Woods"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

I guess it all depends on what circles you run in, but if you know anyone that I do then Bruce don't call me "Ash" Campbell has been one of the biggest names in and out of little Hollywood, and has been for nearly three decades!  Due to Campbell's working relationship with director Sam Raimi on their Evil Dead trilogy and cameos in such films as Spider-Man 1,2 and 3, as well as Dark Man he has become a house hold name.  In more recent memory he has been starring as Sam Axe on the television show, "Burn Notice" for some time now.  Despite all of that I will forever remember him as the star of Within The Woods.  A 30 minute short film version of Evil Dead that was shot on 8mm while Bruce was still on college to attract investors to the aforementioned film.

Holding his spattered chainsaw just out of frame you can almost feel the blood oozing off the page in this illustration.  If you grab a print of this one be careful, it looks like it might drip a little!

Bradley Nowell - Sublime, "Back"

Bradley Nowell, "Back"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

A young man was taken before his time.  His band was just getting ready to make their big break.  Now fifteen years later we look back on the tragedy with as much regret and fervor as ever.  Leaving a family behind is never easy but imagine if there were scores of fans that loved you so much that they would never let you go.  Maybe it's because we feel like we are part of Brad's family, and if you love someone you can never let their memory die that I chose to use a picture with some of Brad's face slightly obscured - you can see his tattoo well though and I thought that the smile on his face and the microphone in his hand spoke more about him than my lines ever could.  He was after all a man who lived for his music, who had to be gagged and drug off stage at times and never lost his passion for life even in death.  Won't you help him perform one more song?

Bob Marley - The Wailers, "Laugh"

Bob Marley, "Laugh"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Marley was a movement unto himself.  He didn't see himself as black or white, he didn't see himself as Jamaican or English - he saw himself as a divine creation of God like all other men and women.  And God had put him here for one reason - to spread love.  It was this unparalleled message of joy, happiness, peace and forgiveness that drove Marley's music and sky rocketed him into the international spotlight before his untimely death in 1981.  Likewise it was these same ideals that I tried to convey in the smiling visage you see before you.  Marley's smile was so strong it seemed like it could move mountains - his laugh jovial enough to raise the dead for one more joke.  Dreadlocks and a scruffy goatee were his visual trademarks but you still can't help but be affected by the peace and happiness that Marley was able to find in a world that seems to so dark atavistic at times. A light in a dark tunnel - at least now you can get a flashlight in the form of a print or poster...

Bob Dylan, "Half"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Graphite on Paper

What can you say that hasn't been said about Dylan before?  He's be known as everything from a poet to a madman, thief to genius and it's hard to pin him down.  He sits here lurking in the shadows straight out of the mid-60's as he was just beginning to work with The Band, which was a more than somewhat controversial move at the time.  Half light, half dark - acoustic to electric, I tried to make a connection there.  Either way this Dylan will always remain baby faced for you no matter what happens from now on...

Jimi Hendrix, "Smile"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Graphite on Paper

Sometimes you just end up with an image that sums up a person for you.  That's what happened here.  Initially I had set out to do a much larger study of Hendrix but as the face emerged it was all I could see.  That giant toothy grin peaking out of that wild hair had me hypnotized.  This is what I ended up with - the personification of Hendrix, for me at least.  His music conveyed such an upbeat and almost carefree tone that I never thought I'd get near to capturing that on paper, but I think I accomplished my goal quite well here, and I hope that you agree.  Forty years after his death Jimi is still greatly missed and will always be remembered.

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight: The Joker, "Face"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Charcoal, Soft Pastel and Oil Pastel on Paper

After completing the Jack Nicholson 1989 "Splash" picture I knew I had to do a Heath Ledger companion to the piece.  I re-watched The Dark Knight and decided that this had to be my first color piece.  I went with a mixed medium approach, blending charcoal, soft and oil pastels to achieve the finished product.  It wasn't easy - the minimalistic approach to color was a fun thing to play with in this piece but it really made me want to do one with his bright green hair.  I'm really happy with the finished product in this case though, Ledger's sardonic eyes peering out from the shadows and that demonic smile perfectly silhouetted.  I can't wait to start getting prints of this one done, they are going to look just amazing!

Johnny Depp: Pirates Of The Caribbean - Jack Sparrow, "Sparrow"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

If there ever was a man outside of the Chaney family that could 'wear' the title, "the man of a thousand faces" it is Johnny Depp.  Over his career he's taken more and more control over his own career and taken it some really interesting places.  In this picture I decided to do a portrait of Johnny Depp in The Pirate's Of The Caribbean as Jack Sparrow the head pirate and arguably the lead of the films so far.  Eyeliner and dreadlocks have now become synonymous with Depp and I don't think he minds one bit with that scraggly little goatee hanging out on his face months after the completion of the films.  And have no fear if you feel left out at the end of the film because you don't have any wicked pirate booty for yourself you can forget about it now!

Mike Smith: Trailer Park Boys - Bubbles, "Hat"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

I did this piece for Vulturefest down in Makanda this year.  Trailer Park Boys is probably the most brilliant show I've ever seen and of all the characters Bubbles is undeniable the best.  Mike Smith started on the show as a sound-engineer having had limited success in his Canadian grunge band Sandbox, who recorded two albums on EMI.  Due to some wonderful coincidences he ended up landing a starring role on Trailer Park Boys and is working on a new show with the cast from TPBoys now.  Watching TPB lately I was struck with how much I liked Bubbles when he was in his snow gear so I decided to stick him in that here.  His little beanie cap just cracks me up, not that his face isn't enough that is!  I can't wait to see this suckers hanging in the living room, now that's a conversation starter!

Hunter S. Thompson, "Gonzo"

Hunter S. Thompson, "Gonzo"

Portrait, 10 1/2 x 12 1/2 in
Lead on Paper

Thompson led a troubled life and might not have been a picture of sanity to most people, but he's a personal hero.  He was always ahead of he game, one step in front of everyone else.  His life was an incredible journey, kicked out of his home town after he was arrested, Thompson subsequently joined the army where he began his illustrious career as a journalist.  Though he worked at Rolling Stones magazine for several years, and was even teamed with Ralph Steadman the artist who would follow Thompson on his rise to the top, but failed to hit it big until there was an 'incident'.  Thompson was sent to cover the Mint 500 motorcycle race but instead turned in a bizarre op-ed piece of what would later become known as "gonzo" journalism.  The manuscript was the outlines of what would become the know American Literary Classic, "Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas"; which know stand along with other titles like "On The Road" and "Naked Lunch" as quintessential counter-culture reading material.

Joel Gion - Brian Jonestown Massacre, "Dig"

Joel Gion, "Dig"

Portrait, 10 x 10 1/2 in

Lead on Paper

Can you hear the tambourine man a callin?  Joel Gion from The Brian Jonestown Massacre, or at least he as back as of the time of this portrait, made me reconsider my opion of tambourine players in a band.  He served not only as a musician but also a bouncer and the glue that very nearly held everything together.  Typical of Joel, nothing about this drawing was typical - his glasses weren't the hardest part of this picture, it was that hand that nearly drove me nuts.  For some reason getting the proper foreshortening on it was just a massive pain in the neck.  In the end though I was really happy with how this ended up.  Everything about this besides that hand was an absolute pleasure to draw.  You normally don't get to draw mutton chops or a hair cut like that on anything but a comic book character, and even then it's hard to pull off - I mean you just can't dream that kind of thing up!

Tom Waits, "Dark"

Tom Waits, "Dark"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 10 1/2 in

Lead on Paper

So far the final installation in the Tom Waits series he is depicted here in the mid-90's while working on one of his plays, The Black Rider with writer William S. Burroughs of "Naked Lunch" notoriety.  It was this era in Tom's life that made me know he was going to knock his role as Satan in Doctor Parnassus out of the park.  Going well back to his Mystery Men days, this classic fedora and suit look just screams lounge lizard but there's so much more to Tom.  This was the very first picture that I did in the Conte Pierre Noire lead pencils that have become the basis of most of the work presented on this blog.  A fortuitous combination of subject and medium to say the least.

Clint Eastwood - The Man With No Name, "No Name"

Clint Eastwood, "No Name"

Portrait, 10 1/2 x 13 in

Lead on Paper

Before he was Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood became known as The Man With No Name supplanting the legacy of John Wayne for several generations. 

Tom Waits, "Laugh"

Tom Waits, "Laugh"

Portrait, 10 1/2 x 12 in

Lead on Paper

Yet another Tom Waits piece, spotlighting yet another of his many eccentric appearances and personalities.  This particular picture is from the Heart Attack and Vine era in the early 80's just before he got that crazy pin-stripe mustache going on for the next few years.  There is something about Tom when he laughs.  The sound is like gravel being dumped through a steel sieve and it seems to shake the ground beneath your feet, it's no accident he played the devil in Dr Parnasus.  His worn out suit drips off his shoulders as he shakes with laughter, summing up much of his life to me.  Looking back the lines are a little loose and the shirt is a little undefined, and I love it.  It all screams Tom to me and it should look really nice peering down from a mantle somewhere.

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, "Easy Rider"

Portrait, 11 x 14 in

Lead on Paper

This was a really fun piece to do.  Peter Fonda hurtling along the road on his Chopper, Dennis Hopper lurking in the background.  I also had to get Jack Nicholson's helmet in there or it wouldn't really be Easy Rider now would it?  I chose to do this in a slightly larger format that most of my other stuff so I could really get some more of the bikes and that helmet into frame which I think makes the picture.  It's one of the strongest compositional pieces that I've done and I'm super pleased to be able to finally offer prints of it!

Marilyn Monroe, "Personal"

Marilyn Monroe, "Personal"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Few personalities have captivated America like Marilyn Monroe.  She defined the term super-model for perhaps the fist time, but that's not what this portrait is about.  I really wanted to do a picture of Marilyn Monroe as a person, not an object, something rarely seen in my opinion.  It's a million miles from the toothy Hollywood grin that made her a household name, but there's something tangibly beautiful and sincere about this piece.  On a lighter note, Something Had To Give and this print is available now, cause Some Like It Hot (I had to do it!).

Gene Wilder - Young Frankenstein, "Fronkunschteen"

Gene Wilder - Young Frankenstein, "Fronkunschteen"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

The companion piece to Marty Feldman's Igor, Gene Wilder can be seen here in his role as Dr. Frankenstein, though he might prefer you not know that.  It's true Wilder was one of Mel Brooks' go to guys and it was no surprise to see him turn up in Young Frankenstein, but he seems much more suited for the role than some of his other Brooks films.  His looks lend themselves to the black and what color scheme of the film perfectly and the dark eye make-up commonly associated with those early films looks so natural on his face he might be able to pull them off in public, then again maybe not.  You can be sure you could pull this print off in public though, cast out of his castle and the town the doctor needs a place to sleep it off people, it's been a long day!

Marty Feldman, "Playboy"

Marty Feldman, "Playboy"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

I just can't get enough of that face!  Graves Disease was responsible for Marty's trademark bulging eyes but there was something else lurking beneath that disarming grin, responsible for his lasting legacy as a comedy genius.  It's not hard to picture him running amok on the BBC or teasing Frankenstein's monster - but there was a real guy behind all that, a man with some enormous mutton chops.  I tried to really conjure the essence of Feldman here, presenting him as seriously as I dared with out compromising the pictures integrity in some fashion.  I just got the fist prints of this back and I have to say I am more than impressed with them than I anticipated, and I had some high expectations - simply put, this is a hell of a print.

Marty Feldman - Young Frankenstein, "Abby Normal"

Marty Feldman - Igor, "Abby Normal"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

This Marty Feldman piece is the first in a series spotlighting the film, "Young Frankenstein" by Mel Brooks.  It's one of my favorite films and has to be one of the funniest films ever made, due in no small part to the mad genius that is Marty Feldman.  His face might look like a caricature but he had some serious skill to back up those boyish good looks.  Just watch Young Frankenstein and try to imagine any one else as Igor.  Feldman can be seen here procuring a brain from the morgue in one of the films most famous scenes as he break the fourth wall, looking directly into the camera.  With all the trouble up at the castle lately it looks like he might be looking for somewhere new to stay, care to help him out a little?

Animal Portrait - Gir Dog, "Nightvision"

Gir Dog, "Nightvision"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

This happens to be a great example of two different types of portraiture, photo reproduction and animal portraiture.  This is my assistant Roman's dog, Gir.  He's a Brussels Griffin, the type of dog that wookies, ewoks and mogwai are based on, and has to be the cutest thing on three legs - that's right he's missing a paw, the poor guy!  I will make sure to post the original picture as well so you can compare the two, but in the meantime if you need a copy of this one we might be able to help you get the cuddly little thing settled into a new home, he does love laps after all.

Django Reinhardt, "Classic"

Django Reinhardt, "Classic"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 1 in

Lead on Paper

Modern music just wouldn't be the same with out Django Reinhardt.  He was badly burnt in a caravan fire when he was young costing Django several fingers, and while this would have stopped most people from playing the guitar but this inventive Gypsy decided, instead to use it to his advantage.  He developed an entirely new system of finger sweeps for the neck of the guitar that would become the basis for contemporary and modern guitar, most of his recognition would come after his lifetime.  Beyond his music though Django's persona was almost as cool as his music.  Sleek ties and hand tailored suits were a trademark for the man who came up from nowhere.  It seems like they designed Art Deco directly off of Django.  Tired of imitations and translations?  Bring the enigmatic gypsy wanderer back to your place, maybe you'll have better luck getting him to stay than we did!

Julie Newmar - Batman: Catwoman, "#1"

Julie Newmar - Catwoman, "#1"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Perhaps best remembered for her role as the original Catwoman on the 1960's Batman show with Adam West, Julie Newmar wanted to be a comedian but ended up working her way into some feature films before establishing a fruitful television career that would plateau in many ways with her role as Catwoman on the Batman series.  Keeping that in mind I found an early version of her make-up with much more of her face exposed.  She would eventually wear a mask but I didn't want to obscure her fact that much.  I also did a companion piece to this one of her earlier pin-up years that I will post soon.  In the meantime, you know where to find this print; same bat time, same bat channel er, bat blog that is!

Jack Skellington - The Nightmate Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King, "Smile"

Jack Skellington - The Pumpkin King, "Smile"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11in

Lead on Paper

Tim Burton has done some amazing work - and his designs are the largest part of many of his most memorable films. Edward Scissorhands and so many others started off in his sketch book and were brought to life through his vivid imagination.  A Nightmare Before Christmas might be his largest undertaking in this category though, as it was the first full length animated film he had designed from the ground up.  He did a great job of not buckling under the pressure in this case, resulting in some amazing designs.  Jack Skelligton is one of the coolest designs out there.  Sheik and cool, complex in his simplicity - it was a real pleasure to draw him.  I stuck him in the woods for a little background and plastered a silly smile on his face as that's how I remember him, though I must admit I'm a more than a little tempted to do a companion piece that's a little more ominous than this one. In the meantime, bring a little Halloween, or Christmas - whatever you like, home with you for the holiday seasons in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Buddha Shakyamuni

Buddha Shakyamuni

 

Cover Illustration,

Scratchboard

This was done as a cover illustration for another local artist who is putting together a book and wanted some illustrations breaking up the sections.  This one was for the "Spirituality" Section so I decided to go with Buddha, he called out to me what can I say.  This is with out a doubt the largest and most detailed scratchboard that I've done to date.  If you look really closely you can even see miniature hidden yin-yangs throughout the picture, it was pretty intense to say the least.  Because of the medium though I was able to achieve a much greater level of definition.  This was actually the first piece that anyone asked for a print of so I probably owe it all to this piece.

Predator, "Alpha"

Predator - "Alpha"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

This piece is in loving memory of Stan Winston who left us with so many wonderful creations and images and asked so little for himself.  His designs have been stuck in the heads of a million people all over the planet and there's definitely a reason why.  This is specifically the predator from the original Predator film as Stan designed that helmet himself and while others have imitated it they have never successfully improved on that design; why mess with a good thing?  Recently "Alpha" also showed up as the wounded predator in the 2010 film, "Predators" and it felt as good a time as any to do a serious piece showcasing just how beautiful and sheik the design really is almost 30 years later, a functional work of art as nearly all of Stan's creations invariably were.  He will be missed.

Tom Waits, "Diner"

Tom Waits - Diner

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

Tom Waits is the man of a million faces.  He seamlessly changes from decade to decade, depending on how he feels and where he's at in his life.  Ranging from soft folk ballads and gentle jazz piano, to out and out rock and roll, even going to so far as to record an album with Keith Richards helming the guitar.  In that spirit I did three pieces ranging from different parts of his career.  This one goes all the way back to those smoke filled bars and coffee shops that he would have been haunting back in the early 70's.  Although he was still cementing himself as an indispensable piece of rock music he already had the look down - and you can have the look down if you want to.  Of course you could always hang it up on the wall and bask in the glory that is Tom like I do though.

John Lennon, "Imagine"

John Lennon - Imagine

 

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

John Lennon was a member of The Beatles, arguably the world's most popular band.  They invented the term superstar and went on to revolutionize not only music sonically but the way that it was recorded and even how it was perceived by those who listened to it.  John Lennon was a man, and he felt the need to share his strengths and weaknesses and happiness and insecurities with the rest of the world in the hopes it might make it a little better place, or teach someone something - at least make them stop and think.  So on what would have been John's 70th birthday I chose to draw this as I share many of the same hopes and dreams.  I was looking for a way to help remember this amazing man and his legacy, I found it and so can you.

Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove, "Strangelove"

Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

The multi-talented Peter Sellers is probably best remember for his zany role in Stanley Kubrick's 1964 classic, Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb as an American recruited ex-Nazi scientist.  You can almost smell the smoke from Sellers cigarette as he mutters in a  raspy snarl,  the loud squeak from the bearings on his wheel chair drowning out soft obscenities.  It had to be hard getting around the set in that clunky old prop but it won't be hard to get him into your house with the help of prints and posters!

Jack Nicholson - Chinatown, "Chinatown"

Jack Nicholson - Chinatown

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Jack Nicholson has been entertaining audiences for years and has earned his Academy Awards coming up the hard way starring in low budget art films making a name for himself despite the fact several of his movies were banned at the time of their release.  In some cases though he just plain old stole the show - Chinatown was one of those cases.  He took that movie, ran off and never looked back.  In a more buttoned down role with more direction than I was used to seeing for Nicholson it was a wonderful change of pace and I loved the fact that they cut up his nose, though I chose to leave that out of the picture as it looked a bit grotesque otherwise.  Detection isn't easy when everyone's against you -  but don't worry we can help you get this slippery character home today!

Brandon Lee - The Crow: Eric Draven, "Church"

Brandon Lee - The Crow: Church

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

In 1994 Bruce Lee's son Brandon Lee defined the term 'badass' for countless generations to come in "the role of a lifetime" - The Crow, which literally cost him his life.  A stunt in the film went tragically wrong and Brandon ultimately payed the cost for that mistake.  Though he has passed on, Brandon has left a legacy behind him that has spawned countless movie sequels, comics and even a television show.  Every college kid in the country has a Dali painting and a Crow poster hanging somewhere on their walls.  But it wasn't the scary face paint that captivated us all so much, it was the humanity inside of this menacing droopy faced clown facade.  Like I said before though - he did after all define cool to me when I was a kid and I couldn't help but draw a nice menacing stalk which nicely sums up the film, though I feel there's a little unfinished business with Brandon.  Look for another more personal portrait of him coming sometime in the future...

Vincent Price - The Bat: Malcolm Wells, "The Bat"

Vincent Price - The Bat

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

The unforgettable Vincent Price is swooping in this holiday season - again remembered here in a piece paying tribute to one of his earlier and oft over looked films, The Bat.  It also stays well within the Classic Horror series of the 1940's and 50's that we have been working on for the this Halloween season.  Price has been such a presence in so many ways from his films and narration as well as being a real personality and family man, that I felt he had earned a place amongst names like Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.  II wanted to illustrate a younger more serious Price than many people are used to with this piece, when many people.considered him to be the up and coming, pretty boy actor of his time.  Notice how he doesn't look serious or snide though, somehow he always maintained a sense of majesty that time hasn't varnished.

Frank Oz - Star Wars, "Yoda"

Frank Oz - Yoda

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Who doesn't love Yoda?  This is one of those pieces where everything just fell into place.  I had done a much smaller version of this drawing in graphite for a CD cover a while back and really liked the layout and composition, so I decided to do a full size portrait based on the earlier, rougher version.  I was out in the blistering sun at a show and sold one print in the twelve hours we spent sitting there.  I did, however manage to get this piece done and am rather proud of it.  You can almost sense the hand of master puppeteer Frank Oz beneath the amazingly articulate and lifelike puppet, and yet he has such a distinct personality all his own.  At least that's some of what I attempted to convey with this piece, as Star Wars has been a continuing source of inspiration and intrigue all my life.  I get the feeling that if you like Yoda half as much as I do you'll have to jump all over this print!

Jack Nicholson - Batman: The Joker, "Spash" (1989)

Jack Nicholson - The Joker: Splash

Portrait, 18 x 24 in.

Lead on Paper

Jack Nicholson as The Joker from Tim Burton's classic 1989 film, Batman - what else needs to be said?  For many he defined the character.  And whatever you may think about him, he never failed to deliver on the entertainment in a film that was wonderful and yet lacking in so many ways.  The action sequences were so limited on that original film because of the actual Batman suit that was designed for Michal Keaton who was portraying the title role, but were brought to vivid life by Nicholson's unyielding acting chops and his sense of over the top madness that seems to seep from the celluloid at times.  This film is one of my first memories and the image has been burnt into my head for as long as I can remember so it felt really good to get this one down on paper finally and hopefully pay a little homage to the man who brought me so much joy in my childhood.  "For my number one guy!"

Lon Chaney Jr. - The Wolfman,"The Wolfman" (1941)

Lon Chaney Jr. - The Wolfman

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

In another piece spotlighting the Classic Horror Films of the 40's and 50's for the Halloween season, Lon Chaney Jr. can be seen in the 1941 Universal Classic Horror film, The Wolfman, lurking in the mist while howling at the moon!  And why not this is a heck of picture, in so many ways...  Few of the monsters from the golden age of horror cinema were originals.  Most of the Universal Monsters were adaptations, Bela Lugosi's Dracula was a novel - and the film is actually an adaptation of the stage play that was adapted from the afore mentioned book, as well as the inimitable Frankenstein which was a novel by Mary Shelley.  The Wolfman and The Mummy however, were both originals and have found a welcome place in the dark corners of our imaginations and a loving place in our hearts.

Benicio Del Toro - The Wolfman, "The Wolfman" (2010)

Benicio Del Toro - The Wolfman

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in. (Original piece)
Lead on Paper

Straight out of our ongoing series spotlighting Classic Universal Horror Monsters, Benicio Del Toro leaps howling from the page in his role as Lawrence Talbot in the 2010 "Wolfman" remake.  One of the few remakes that didn't fallen flat on it's face, much of the film's success is due to the delightfully grotesquely horrific make-up for the monster, of course Del Toro's undeniable acting abilities did't hurt the situation either; even though he was lurking beneath a sea of latex and one furry body suit!

Snag this snarling beast on prints in several convenient sizes and formats, starting in the notebook size and ranging all the way to posters and  sweaters / shirts!